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All-New 2006 Sonata: A Hyundai Like You've Never Seen Before
Award-Winning Sonata has Everything it Needs to Take On the
Established Leaders in the Midsize Sedan Category.
The all-new 2006 Hyundai Sonata can be defined by two simple words: refined and
confident. Designed and engineered over a four-year period in concert with
voluminous customer feedback, the Sonata surpasses competitors like Honda Accord
and Toyota Camry with class-leading standard safety technologies, generous
interior room and standout value.
Available in three trim levels and with a choice of two engines and three
transmissions, Sonata is fully equipped to satisfy the increasingly
sophisticated demands of the midsize sedan buyer. The 2006 Hyundai Sonata
recently beat Honda Accord and Toyota Camry to take first place in an
Edmunds.com Inside Line comparison test. Edmunds.com reported, "In the end, it
wasn't even close . . . in the areas of performance and features, the Hyundai
won in a landslide . . . Bottom Line: With the 2006 Sonata, Hyundai convincingly
beats the long-standing class leaders in nearly every important category."
Sonata's infusion of striking style and extensive features-and the growing
luster of Hyundai's brand reputation-appeals to a broader range of customers
than ever before. That's entirely by design, as Hyundai began the project by
surveying American consumers at clinics about their likes and dislikes, wants,
needs and preferences for midsize sedans. 2006 Sonata buyers are younger than
those of competitors. They're open-minded, smart with money, practical, hard
working and have a high degree of common sense.
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SAFETY
The 2006 Sonata sets new standards in active and passive safety, an
accomplishment recognized by an Automotive Excellence award in the safety
category from Popular Mechanics magazine. Every Sonata has Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) with Traction Control as standard equipment, along with four-wheel
disc brakes with Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS). This is important because the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reported that ESC results in
35-percent fewer single-vehicle crashes, and 30-percent fewer single-vehicle
fatalities. Sonata is the first and only mid-size car with standard Electronic
Stability Control and ABS. Other competitors, such as the new Ford Fusion, offer
ABS as optional equipment, with ESC unavailable even as an extra-cost option.
In the event that a crash is unavoidable, the Sonata features six
airbags-including dual front, front seat-mounted side-impact, and front and rear
side curtain airbags-along with active front-seat head restraints. Other passive
safety features include shingle-style rear seat head restraints for improved
visibility, three-point seatbelts for all seating positions, front-seat seatbelt
pretensioners and force limiters, and a rear-seat LATCH system for child seats.
The 2006 Sonata has received the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration's (NHTSA) top five-star crash test rating for front and side
impacts.
CONTEMPORARY EXTERIOR DESIGN
Following Hyundai's mission to provide more for the money, the 2006 Sonata is
two inches longer (188.9 inches), two inches taller (58.0 inches) and has an
inch longer wheelbase (107.4 inches) than the 2005 model. It is also wider than
Camry, Accord and Altima, helping to solidify its advantage in interior
spaciousness.
But it is the sophisticated design that really defines the '06 Sonata. The
unibody, made of high-tensile steel, features a bold, concave hood design,
distinctive rear-door cut lines, strong Z-lined body-to-fascia interfaces, and
four-barrel jeweled projector lens headlights. Furthering its look of solidity
are standard 16-inch wheels (17-inch wheels are optional on the GLS V6 and
standard on LX). The model range also offers a choice of ten solid, metallic and
mica colors.
WELCOMING INTERIOR
The 2006 Sonata is classified by the EPA as a Large Car, truly a "class above"
the Accord, Camry, Altima, Fusion and Malibu (all are categorized as midsize
cars). With 121.7 cu. ft. of total interior volume, the Sonata's five-passenger
seating offers increases in legroom, headroom and shoulder room compared to the
2005 model. In class, it's competitive in all interior dimensions. Even in trunk
room, the Sonata shines. Its 16.3 cu. ft. of trunk volume is 16 percent larger
than Accord's and nearly five percent bigger than Altima's.
Sonata likewise delivers on Hyundai's pledge to offer more sophistication and
refinement. For instance, premium doorsill scuff plates greet GLS and LX
passengers, who also enjoy either gray metalgrain or woodgrain interior trim
accents (with gray or beige interiors, respectively).
Ease of entry and egress, seating comfort and overall ergonomics have also been
improved for 2006, thanks to a one-inch increase in seating position height,
increased distance between the driver and the A-pillar, and more room between
the seat cushion and the headliner. Standard convenience features include tilt
steering and an auto-up/down power-window function with pinch protection. The
front center console offers dual-tier storage and two covered cupholders; two
more cupholders are located in the rear center armrest.
The 2006 Sonata also delivers class-leading cabin quietness and reduced wind
noise. Designers increased the strength and stiffness of the body structure to
reduce engine and road noise.
CHOICE OF POWERTRAINS
A pair of all-new engines combine excellent front-wheel-drive performance with
fuel economy. The 2.4-liter DOHC inline-four in the Sonata GL and GLS is part of
Hyundai's new "Theta" group of engines, and is rated at 162 horsepower and 164
lb.-ft. of torque-an increase of 24 horsepower and 17 lb.-ft. of torque. This
high-tech all-aluminum 16-valve engine features Continuously Variable Valve
Timing (CVVT), a durable stainless-steel exhaust manifold, and twin balance
shafts and hydraulic motor mounts to reduce vibration. It meets ULEV emissions
standards and returns an impressive 24-mpg City/34 mpg Highway with the Sonata's
standard five-speed manual transmission, and 24-mpg City/33 mpg Highway with the
optional four-speed automatic with SHIFTRONIC®. The Sonata four-cylinder
engine's power output and fuel economy closely match Accord and Camry
four-cylinder models.
Standard in the Sonata GLS V6 and Sonata LX models is an all-new 3.3-liter V6
that produces 235 horsepower and 226 lb-ft. of torque-an increase of 65
horsepower and 45 lb.-ft. of torque over the previous 2.7-liter V6 it replaces.
As the first member of Hyundai's new "Lambda" engine family, this engine also
has all-aluminum construction, dual overhead camshafts, four valves per
cylinder, CVVT and hydraulic engine mounts. It also features a Variable Intake
System (VIS) to further broaden its power curve, improving off-the-line
acceleration and passing performance. The Sonata V6 offers 45 horsepower more
than the Camry 3.0-liter V6 and 14 lb.-ft. more torque than the Accord V6.
Mileage estimates are 20-mpg City/30 mpg Highway.
All V6 models have Hyundai's all-new five-speed SHIFTRONIC® automatic
transmission, which features an overdrive lock-up torque converter for improved
highway fuel economy. Neither the Accord nor Camry offer manual-mode operation.
SUPPLE RIDE, AGILE HANDLING
An advanced four-wheel independent suspension system provides occupants with a
smooth, supple ride combined with excellent roadholding. Up front is a new
double-wishbone system with coil springs, twin-tube gas-filled hydraulic shock
absorbers and a stabilizer bar. The system's lower control arms increase
handling precision while reducing vibration, and bushing size has been increased
to better absorb the shock from road impacts.
In back, a sophisticated multi-link system provides excellent handling along
with superb ride quality and noise isolation.
The 2006 Sonata achieves a 40% improvement in torsional rigidity over the prior
model, with a 29% torsional stiffness advantage over Honda Accord. This rigid
body allows Hyundai's chassis engineers to tune suspension settings to achieve a
more comfortable, quieter ride than Accord, while still maintaining precise
steering and handling.
THREE WELL-EQUIPPED MODELS
From well equipped, to really well equipped, to downright luxurious, the 2006
Sonata lineup honors the needs and desires of midsize-sedan customers with a
highly competitive mix of features and benefits. The new Sonata is available in
GL, GLS and top-of-the-line LX trim levels. Each delivers a level of standard
equipment that is a cut above comparable models in the class.
SONATA GL
With an MSRP of $17,895, the 2006 Sonata GL is a well-equipped midsize sedan
with a sizable price advantage compared to its four-cylinder competition. It
features a sophisticated new 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine matched to a
smooth-shifting five-speed manual transmission, with a four-speed SHIFTRONIC®
automatic transmission optional. Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction
Control System (TCS), ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), and
four-wheel disc brakes are all standard.
The Sonata GL's standard exterior features include 16-inch wheels with Michelin
tires, power windows, door locks and outside mirrors, and keyless entry with
alarm. Inside are an AM/FM/CD/MP3 sound system, air conditioning with a cabin
air filtration, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a
tilt-adjustable steering column. An impressive array of passive safety features
includes six airbags and active front head restraints.
SONATA GLS
The four-cylinder Sonata GLS includes all of the features found on the GL, and
adds 16-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, chrome window belt molding, and a
four-speed SHIFTRONIC® automatic transmission-a feature that none of its primary
four-cylinder competitors can offer. Inside are premium doorsill plates, floor
mats, automatic light control, driver's-seat lumbar support, audio controls
mounted on the steering wheel, and a trip computer. Options include a power
tilt/slide sunroof and a Premium Package including the sunroof plus an eight-way
power driver's seat and an electrochromic auto-dimming rearview mirror with
HomeLink® and a compass.
The 2006 GLS V6 comes alive with Hyundai's all-new, high-tech 3.3-liter V6
engine. It features chrome-tipped dual exhausts, five-speed SHIFTRONIC®
automatic transmission, larger disc brakes and Solar Control glass. Options
include a power/tilt sunroof, and a Premium-Sport Package including the sunroof,
17-inch alloy wheels, eight-way power driver's seat, and an electrochromic
auto-dimming rear view mirror with HomeLink® and a compass.
SONATA LX
Priced at $22,895, the Sonata LX is a fully equipped luxury model for midsize
buyers who want it all-at a great price. Distinguishing exterior features
include 17-inch alloy wheels fitted with lower-profile tires, and
chrome-accented exterior door handles. The interior has luxurious leather
seating surfaces, an eight-way power driver's seat and heated front seats. Other
upgrades include automatic temperature control with an automatic Air Quality
System (AQS), an electrochromic auto-dimming rear view mirror with HomeLink® and
compass, telescoping steering wheel adjustment, and a sliding center armrest.
The Sonata LX is so well equipped that the only options are a power/tilt sunroof
and a CD changer with subwoofer and component amplifier.
AMERICA'S BEST WARRANTY
The all-new 2006 Hyundai Sonata is protected by the Hyundai Advantage, America's
Best Warranty™. Coverage includes five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper
protection, 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, and
seven-year/unlimited mileage anti-perforation coverage. In addition, Sonata
buyers receive 24-hour roadside assistance coverage at no extra charge for five
years (no mileage limit) and that service includes emergency towing, lockout
service and limited coverage for trip-interruption expenses. There is no
deductible on any of these coverages.
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif. is a subsidiary
of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai cars and sport utility vehicles are
distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold
and serviced by more than 670 Hyundai dealerships nationwide.
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